Buying Guide
How to Spec Self-Adhesive Labels
Specify self-adhesive labels by face stock, adhesive, liner, and barcode grade—not by size alone. RFQ China label printers with a frozen BOM.
Quick answer
Specify self-adhesive labels from application needs: face stock (paper/film), adhesive family, release liner, print method, and barcode grade—not from size alone. The same size can fail on soft-touch cartons or cold warehouses if adhesive and face stock were never frozen.
What should buyers freeze first?
Lock substrate (corrugated, folding carton, film, glass), application temperature, expected dwell before ship, and whether labels must survive humidity or freezer lanes. State food-contact or retail-only rules before artwork.
How do you validate labels on the real pack?
Approve adhesion, scuff, and barcode scans on production packaging with the real finish stack. Office printouts miss soft-touch, varnish, and dust that kill stick.
RFQ
Face stock; adhesive; liner
Size/shape; print colors; barcode grade
Application surface/temp; sample packs
Monthly volume; Incoterms; substitution ban
When should you reject a quote?
Reject quotes that swap adhesive family or face stock without a re-tested pack-out. Unit price without a frozen material code is not comparable.
Related PackTrades Knowledge
Label Spec Checklist for Export Cartons, Paper Labels vs Film Labels, Why Labels Lift on Soft-Touch Cartons, How to Spec Barcode Grade on Export Packaging Labels.
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